The Warm Up: #NEvNYC

The Revolution seek their first-ever victory over expansion side New York City FC as they visit Gillette Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm ET.

The Revolution enter Saturday’s contest coming off a pair of 3-goal losses on the road, and winless in their last six matches in all competitions, spanning back to the 1-0 stunning upset in the U.S. Open Cup. The Revolution hope that a return to Gillette Stadium turns the ship around, as they’ve been on the road in four of their last five matches.

On the other side of the pitch, NYC FC is in the midst of a modest hot streak, despite sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference. The visitors have won four of their last six matches, and have only lost once in their last seven games, though that was a 3-1 home loss in their first ever match against the cross-town rival Red Bulls. NYC FC is coming off their highest-scoring game in the team’s short history, a 4-4 barn-burner in which Italian Sebastian Giovinco scored a hat trick over the span of nine minutes in the first half.

The Revolution need to turn the ship around to avoid a summer losing streak similar to one they suffered in 2014. While the Revolution were able to overcome their drought from last season, a tighter Eastern Conference with only 6 points separating second and ninth place is proving every point is important. Matches against NYC FC, who would tie the Revolution in the standings with a win, are only that more vital.

New York City FC is finally hitting their stride and look to put themselves in playoff positioning, even before the debuts of Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo. NYC FC are trying to make up for lost time after a poor stretch for over two months saw them go winless in 11 consecutive games. In fact, NYC FC’s only victory in their first 13 matches in team history was their home opener, against the Revolution. Despite going 4-1-2 since, NYC FC remains in ninth place trying to push themselves up in the standings while the Eastern Conference race is still tight.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Revolution: After conceding seven goals in the past two games, all eyes will be on the back four to see how they respond. Jose Goncalves is out after being given a red card last week, so it will be up to Andrew Farrell and London Woodberry to hold NYC FC at bay.

NYC FC: With the Revolution conceding seven goals over the past two matches, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see David Villa find the back of the net. Villa has scored 10 of his team’s 24 goals, including the first goal for the squad at Yankee Stadium in NYC FC’s 2-0 win over the Revolution back in March.

NOTABLES

-NYC FC has a pair of Revolution forwards on their squad: Patrick Mullins and Tony Taylor. Mullins was drafted by the Revolution in the first-round of the 2014 SuperDraft and had four goals and two assists with the team in 14 appearances last season. Mullins also made the only assist in the MLS Cup. This year, Mullins has already matched his goal (4) and assist (2) total from last year, including an 86th minute dagger against the Revolution back in March. Mullins is second on the team in goals, and tied for second in assists. Tony Taylor has only made one appearance for NYC FC, a start which last 66 minutes. Both players were taken in the 2015 expansion draft.

-NYC FC will be missing Mix Diskerud, who is currently with the USMNT in the Gold Cup.

-Jose Goncalves will not play on Jose Goncalves Bobblehead night. After going his first two seasons without a red card, he has now been given two in 16 games this season.

LOOKING AHEAD

Following Saturday’s match, the Revolution will head to the Midwest to face off against the Chicago Fire on July 26th at 8:30pm.

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One Comment

Peter

July 17, 2015 at 6:10 pm

No LAMPARD tomorrow evening game I quit sure if we have a grass pitch he will b playing Its a pity the REVS Do not put a grass pitch down 4 the season the American soccer fan will miss seeing the top European soccer player? We only saw Beckham and Henry play once @ the statidium ??????

About Greg Johnstone

Greg Johnstone (@GJohnstone12) has been a contributor at New England Soccer Today since 2014. He also serves as the site's beat writer for Boston City FC. He can be reached via e-mail at gjohnsto@grad.bryant.edu